testing-patterns

Cross-language testing strategies and patterns. Triggers on: test pyramid, unit test, integration test, e2e test, TDD, BDD, test coverage, mocking strategy, test doubles, test isolation.

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Testing Patterns

Universal testing strategies and patterns applicable across languages.

The Test Pyramid

/\
       /  \     E2E Tests (few, slow, expensive)
      /    \    - Full system tests
     /------\   - Real browser/API calls
    /        \
   /  Integ   \ Integration Tests (some)
  /   Tests    \ - Service boundaries
 /--------------\ - Database, APIs
/                \
/   Unit Tests    \ Unit Tests (many, fast, cheap)
------------------  - Single function/class
                    - Mocked dependencies

Test Types

Unit Tests

Scope:      Single function/method/class
Speed:      Milliseconds
Dependencies: All mocked
When:       Every code change
Coverage:   80%+ of codebase

Integration Tests

Scope:      Multiple components together
Speed:      Seconds
Dependencies: Real databases, mocked external APIs
When:       PR/merge, critical paths
Coverage:   Key integration points

End-to-End Tests

Scope:      Full user journey
Speed:      Minutes
Dependencies: Real system (or staging)
When:       Pre-deploy, nightly
Coverage:   Critical user flows only

Test Naming Convention

test_<unit>_<scenario>_<expected>

Examples:
- test_calculate_total_with_discount_returns_reduced_price
- test_user_login_with_invalid_password_returns_401
- test_order_submit_when_out_of_stock_raises_error

Arrange-Act-Assert (AAA)

def test_calculate_discount():
    # Arrange - Set up test data and dependencies
    cart = Cart()
    cart.add_item(Item(price=100))
    discount = Discount(percent=10)

    # Act - Execute the code under test
    total = cart.calculate_total(discount)

    # Assert - Verify the results
    assert total == 90

Test Doubles

Type	Purpose	Example
Stub	Returns canned data	`stub.get_user.returns(fake_user)`
Mock	Verifies interactions	`mock.send_email.assert_called_once()`
Spy	Records calls, uses real impl	`spy.on(service, 'save')`
Fake	Working simplified impl	`FakeDatabase()` instead of real DB
Dummy	Placeholder, never used	`null` object for required param

Test Isolation Strategies

Database Isolation

Option 1: Transaction rollback (fast)
- Start transaction before test
- Rollback after test

Option 2: Truncate tables (medium)
- Clear all data between tests

Option 3: Separate database (slow)
- Each test gets fresh database

External Service Isolation

Option 1: Mock at boundary
- Replace HTTP client with mock

Option 2: Fake server
- WireMock, MSW, VCR cassettes

Option 3: Contract testing
- Pact, consumer-driven contracts

What to Test

MUST Test

Business logic and calculations
Input validation and error handling
Security-sensitive code (auth, permissions)
Edge cases and boundary conditions

SHOULD Test

Integration points (DB, APIs)
State transitions
Configuration handling

AVOID Testing

Framework internals
Third-party library behavior
Simple getters/setters
Private implementation details

Test Quality Checklist

Tests are independent (no order dependency)
Tests are deterministic (no flaky tests)
Tests are fast (unit < 100ms, integration < 5s)
Tests have clear names describing behavior
Tests cover happy path AND error cases
Tests don't repeat production logic
Mocks are minimal (only external boundaries)

Additional Resources

./references/tdd-workflow.md - Test-Driven Development cycle
./references/mocking-strategies.md - When and how to mock
./references/test-data-patterns.md - Fixtures, factories, builders
./references/ci-testing.md - Testing in CI/CD pipelines

Scripts

./scripts/coverage-check.sh - Run coverage and fail if below threshold

Repository: NeverSight/skills_feed
Commit: 5c15b3d
Last updated: about 13 hours ago
Created: about 13 hours ago

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